The State Of Belief

Interfaith Alliance
  • 5.0 (17)
  • RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The State Of Belief

Every week, Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush hosts lively, funny and poignant conversations with inspiring religious and civic leaders; as well as artists and activists from across the country. Listeners get a potent mix of spiritual wisdom, political strategy, and hopeful commentary from national and local leaders who are rising up to meet this urgent moment in America. With the tagline: “Where Religion and Democracy Meet,” State of Belief is a celebration of our nation’s diversities and an invitation to join together to, in the words of the great James Baldwin, "achieve our country.”

  1. 19 HR. AGO

    Top Religion News 2024: NYT Reporter Ruth Graham

    In 2024 America, almost every major news story was a religion story in some way. Important stories call for compelling storytelling, and we take a look back at 2024 in the company of a leading religion journalist who’s expert at telling those stories. Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by Ruth Graham, New York Times National Reporter covering religion, faith, and values. Together they review some of Ruth’s favorite stories of the past year, and highlight important work by other journalists. From surprising gender shifts among church-going young Americans to the support of many religious immigrants for anti-immigrant policies and challenges of increasingly diverse religious diaspora; from the ongoing spread of Christian Nationalism as a force in American politics to the evolution of evangelical Christianity toward core MAGA values, they mark the highlights of 2024 – and what themes are likely to emerge in 2025. Ruth's recent work for the New York Times includes Pete Hegseth and His ‘Battle Cry’ for a New Christian Crusade; In a First Among Christians, Young Men Are More Religious Than Young Women; and America’s New Catholic Priests: Young, Confident and Conservative. She expands on the complexities of religious reporting, the challenges of capturing the diverse and evolving nature of faith in the U.S., and the personal stakes of writing these stories with empathy and understanding. - Ruth Graham is a national reporter based in Dallas, covering religion, faith and values for The New York Times. She is the recipient of awards from the Religion News Association and the American Academy of Religion.

    56 min
  2. Timothy Snyder On Religion, Power, and Freedom

    DEC 14

    Timothy Snyder On Religion, Power, and Freedom

    This week, renowned historian and author Timothy Snyder joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the complex relationship between religion, freedom, and democracy. His new book, On Freedom, explores what freedom truly means, how it has been misunderstood, and why it is critical for our collective survival. It debuted as an instant New York Times best-seller, and has earned praise from leading figures like journalist and historian Anne Applebaum and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.  In their conversation, Timothy and Paul discuss how religion can positively help people understand what is “good” by guiding them toward values like mercy, grace, and consistency. These values, they agree, support the fundamentally democratic idea that no one is free unless everyone is free. “You can't have freedom without a notion of what is good, and one thing that religion serves people is as a metaphysical source. Religion can offer notions of what is good - not the only ones, and certainly not ones that can't be challenged by other religions or by people who are not religious. But religion can be a source of metaphysical commitment. It can lead you to caring about things like consistency or grace or mercy, and those things are necessary for freedom. So I'm not saying religion is necessary for freedom, but I'm saying that there's a fundamental way in which a religious commitment can actually help with freedom - so long as that you recognize that on this earth, those things clash.” - Dr. Timothy D. Snyder, renowned historian and professor of history at Yale University, specializing in modern European history, with a focus on authoritarianism, Ukraine and the Holocaust. His many influential books include Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin, and On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century. He has held fellowships at the Centre Nationale des Recherches Scientifiques, Paris (1994-1995); the Harvard University’s Olin Institute for Strategic Studies (1997); served as an Academy Scholar at Harvard’s Center for International Affairs (1998-2001); and has held multiple fellowships at the Institut für die Wissenschaften vom Menschen in Vienna.

    58 min
  3. Did Christian Nationalism Win? Matthew Taylor on the Vote and the Future

    DEC 7

    Did Christian Nationalism Win? Matthew Taylor on the Vote and the Future

    Christian Nationalism has seemingly grabbed the levers of power in America. With an overt passion for power over democracy, the agenda of this authoritarian, exclusionary movement needs to be examined now, more than ever. This week on The State of Belief, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush turns to concerned experts who have been telling this story and sounding the alarm in book and documentary form. We get Matthew Taylor’s take, with a focus on the nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, and his Crusades-evoking tattoos. Matt’s also got a lot to say about the role Christian Nationalism played in getting out the vote in the 2024 election – and ways it’s sure to be a driving force in the incoming administration. None of it is a surprise for Matt, who’s the author of the important book The Violent Take It By Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy. Matthew D. Taylor, Ph.D., is a senior scholar at the Institute for Islamic Jewish Christian Studies, specializing in Muslim-Christian dialogue, Evangelical and Pentecostal movements, religious politics in the U.S., and American Islam. Paul also gets the insights of two of the creators of Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism's Unholy War on Democracy – Executive Producer Todd Stiefel and Director Stephen Ujlaki. Featuring a who’s-who of knowledgeable voices, many of which you’ve heard on The State of Belief, the film traces the history of corrosive theocratic movements like Christian Nationalism back to the Moral Majority and Council for National Policy, and sounds a credible alarm about what the end game may well be. Stephen Ujlaki is a professor of screenwriting at Loyola Marymount University and a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). He has produced over 30 feature films and documentaries, and wrote, directed, and produced his most recent project, Bad Faith. Todd Stiefel is the founder and president of the Stiefel Freethought Foundation and Heretical Reason Productions, and chairs the ScienceSaves campaign. An investor, activist, and philanthropist, Todd is the executive producer of the film Bad Faith.

    1h 2m
  4. The Subversive Power of Gratitude with Diana Butler Bass

    NOV 28

    The Subversive Power of Gratitude with Diana Butler Bass

    Happy Thanksgiving! This week on The State of Belief, we look at gratitude and appreciation from several angles: through the eyes of children, and of a theologian who literally wrote the book on giving thanks. Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush welcomes the youngest guests ever to appear on The State of Belief, his sons Walter and Glenn. Together, they think about what it means to be thankful, and share what they are thankful for. Then Paul brings a prayer by his great-grandfather, theologian Walter Raushchenbusch, that has particular meaning for him in this season. Then, Paul is joined by Dr. Diana Butler Bass, an award-winning author and commentator on religion and spirituality. The conversation covers Diana's journey as a writer and speaker, particularly in the past eight years; her work on cultivating an online community, The Cottage, on Substack; and her deep exploration into the practice of gratitude. They delve into her book Grateful: The Subversive Practice of Giving Thanks, discussing the transformative power of gratitude, especially in difficult times. Diana shares insights on how gratitude can reframe our understanding of our place in the world, drawing from personal experiences and historical contexts. The episode also touches on her collaborative project, the Convocation, and features a reading of Thanksgiving prayers significant to her. Diana Butler Bass, Ph.D., is an award-winning author, popular speaker, inspiring preacher, and one of America’s most trusted commentators on religion and contemporary spirituality. Diana is the author eleven books, although her husband insists she’s actually written one really long book in eleven volumes, each one building on what came before. In her books she has traced developments in Christianity in the United States, and in her own life. She has written books for congregations and for those who have thought about leaving church behind. In the process she has helped many people understand what they are experiencing and discover new ways of exploring their spiritual lives.

    55 min
  5. Antisemitism: Canary in the Coal Mine to Destroying Democracy With Rabbi Jill Jacobs

    NOV 23

    Antisemitism: Canary in the Coal Mine to Destroying Democracy With Rabbi Jill Jacobs

    This week, we dive into the Israel-Palestine crisis, reflecting on the struggles and the urgent call for peace. Recorded just before Rosh Hashanah and the one-year mark of the October 7th attacks, the conversation focuses on the need for moral leadership to stand against violence and authoritarianism. The State of Belief host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by Rabbi Jill Jacobs, CEO of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, to talk about navigating the complexities of condemning violence on all sides, the power of interfaith collaboration, and the crucial role of religious communities—especially Jewish and Palestinian voices—in pushing for peace and justice. She also highlights ways that antisemitism can be a precursor to the erosion of a democracy. Rabbi Jill also shares inspiring stories of hope: Israelis protesting for peace, Palestinians resisting extremism, and partnerships across divides. “What gives me hope,” she says, “are the people, despite great losses, still fighting for justice and peace instead of turning to violence.” Rabbi Jill Jacobs is a leading voice in Jewish social justice, the CEO of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, and author of Where Justice Dwells: A Hands-On Guide to Doing Social Justice in Your Jewish Community.

    51 min
  6. How to End Christian Nationalism with Amanda Tyler

    NOV 16

    How to End Christian Nationalism with Amanda Tyler

    Faced with the surging threat of Christian nationalism, The State of Belief this week explores the urgent need for resistance against authoritarian theocracy, focusing on the roles that faith communities, and particularly Christians, can play in defending religious freedom and multi-faith democracy. Guest Amanda Tyler joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush with critical insights into the ideological and legal battles against Christian nationalism. In her new book How to End Christian Nationalism, Amanda outlines a three-pronged approach to confronting this dangerous ideology: building awareness, advocating for action, and organizing change. She discusses how Christian nationalism distorts the teachings of Jesus and undermines the very essence of religious freedom. Her call for Christians to take a more active role in speaking out and organizing for change serves as both a challenge and a beacon of hope for those committed to protecting a society where religious freedom and diversity are upheld. “The way I understand Christian Nationalism is it's a political ideology and a cultural framework that tries to merge American and Christian identities, suggesting that to be a real American, one has to be a Christian - and not just any kind of Christian, but a Christian who holds certain fundamentalist religious beliefs that are in line with conservative political priorities. Christian Nationalism overlaps significantly with White supremacy, with a narrative that the only people who truly belong in this country are the people who held power at the beginning of the country - and that is White Protestant Christian men who own property. Everyone else is effectively a second-class citizen in the eyes of White Christian Nationalism.” - Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC), leading the organization as it upholds the historic Baptist principle of religious liberty: defending the free exercise of religion and protecting against its establishment by the government. The lead organizer of Christians Against Christian Nationalism and the author of How to End Christian Nationalism, Amanda is also the co-host of BJC’s Respecting Religion podcast. Her constitutional law analysis and advocacy for faith freedom for all have been featured by major news outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CBS News, ABC News, CNN, and MSNBC, and she has testified before Congress on religious liberty and Christian nationalism. A graduate of Georgetown University and The University of Texas School of Law, she lives in Dallas with her husband and son.

    47 min
  7. Election 2024: No Mandate for Extremism

    NOV 9

    Election 2024: No Mandate for Extremism

    In the wake of a deeply consequential election, The State of Belief this week unpacks the electoral role played by religious communities, exploring how various faith groups influenced voter turnout and political coalitions. Guests Skye Perryman, Katherine Stewart, Adelle Banks and Bob Smietana join host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to share critical insights into the diverse religious communities shaping our democracy. Their dedication to engaging in nuanced reporting and analysis, and fostering partnerships within and beyond faith traditions, reflects a commitment to upholding a vibrant and inclusive democracy. Their insights explore how we can value and uplift a wide range of voices in the face of intense polarization, Christian nationalism and extremism. Skye Perryman stresses the critical need to safeguard religious freedoms. "I think there's a huge role for people who have spiritual and moral commitments, including religious commitments, in this fight for democracy. And I know that there's a lot of attention to the corrosive role of religious philosophies…whether that's Christian Nationalism or religious fundamentalism." Katherine Stewart points out that "Christian nationalism is sort of a reactionary nationalism. It's about who gets to properly belong in the country and who doesn't. So it's fusing a kind of religious identity with a partisan political identity, that you're either in or you're out. You're with us or you're not.” Bob Smietana reflects on broader political shifts over the past few elections, stating, "In the last eight years, the last three elections, there's been a lot of focus on White evangelicals who are very strong supporters of Donald Trump... but some of this is that White Christians in general, for whatever reasons, have leaned toward Donald Trump." Adelle Banks looks at the fight ahead and recalls a conversation with a Black minister preparing his Sunday sermon, saying, "He's going to be addressing grief, and talking about the need to have kind of a prophetic grief... as opposed to a pathetic grief... people should be trying to be resilient and moving forward, thinking of examples in the past where African-Americans have made it through difficult times." Skye L. Perryman is President and CEO of Democracy Forward, a nonpartisan, national legal organization that promotes democracy and progress through litigation, regulatory engagement, policy education, and research. She has built a visionary team of legal, policy, and communications experts to confront anti-democratic extremism head-on while also using the law to advance progress and a bold vision for the future. Skye is a Board Member of Interfaith Alliance. Katherine Stewart writes about the intersection of faith and politics, policy, education, and the threat to democratic institutions. Her latest book, The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism, was awarded first place for Excellence in Nonfiction Books by the Religion News Association and a Morris D. Forkosch award. Her new book Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy comes out early 2025. Adelle M. Banks is the projects editor and a national reporter for Religion News Service, covering topics including religion and race, the faith of African Americans and partnerships between government and religious groups. She co-authored Becoming a Future-Ready Church: 8 Shifts to Encourage and Empower the Next Generation of Leaders. Bob Smietana is a national reporter for RNS based near Chicago, covering evangelicals, weird religion and the changing religious landscape. He is the author of Reorganized Religion: The Reshaping of the American Church and Why it Matters.

    59 min
  8. The Vote Is Sacred Bus Tour

    NOV 2

    The Vote Is Sacred Bus Tour

    This week’s episode of The State of Belief features interviews with guests along Interfaith Alliance’s “The Vote is Sacred Bus Tour.” Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush visits with Karim Khayati, Rabbi Deanna Sussman, Rev. Sarah Jones, Dan Osborn, Connie Ryan, State Sen. Rev. Sarah Trone Garriott, Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot, Rhonda Lindner, Rev. Breanna Illéné, and Khalilah Worley, leaders empowering voters to hit the polls to defend religious freedom and multi-faith democracy. These conversations spotlight a shared commitment among diverse leaders—politicians, clergy, and activists—to advocate for social justice, community engagement, and the empowerment of marginalized groups. Underlining the bus tour’s goal of highlighting the role of diverse religious communities engaged in inspiring pro-democracy activism, these leaders’ efforts reflect a shared commitment to fostering a vibrant, multi-faith democracy, working alongside amazing partners to lift up the voices of all Americans in the face of extremism and Christian nationalism. Karim Khayati, Rabbi Deanna Sussman, and Rev. Sarah Jones are leaders in the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian faith communities, respectively, that make up the unique Tri-Faith Initiative in Omaha, Nebraska. A fitting place to begin The Vote Is Sacred bus tour, and their thoughts are a fitting way to start this week’s show. Dan Osborn highlights the lack of working-class representation, stating, “Less than 2% of our elected officials in the House and Senate came from the working class... I'm going to have a worker agenda.” Connie Ryan echoes the need for change, emphasizing that “reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and public schools are on the ballot,” calling for people to harness “the magical power of voting” to stand up for justice. State Sen. Rev. Sarah Trone Garriott reminds us that “every single elected office matters,” while the Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot emphasizes the Episcopal Church's commitment to justice, stating, “One of the vows that we take... is to respect the dignity and worth of every human being.” Rev. Breanna Illéné also recognizes the intersection of faith and politics, asserting, “Your faith should impact your life. Politics impact your life... and they do mix and need to mix.” Rhonda Lindner expresses hope for democracy by asserting, “If every Wisconsin voter who wants to vote and who should vote, votes... democracy and the will of the people will stand.” And even as gerrymandering threatens the fairness of the vote in several states, Khalilah Worley Billy reminds us to "Find joy in this election."

    1h 11m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Every week, Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush hosts lively, funny and poignant conversations with inspiring religious and civic leaders; as well as artists and activists from across the country. Listeners get a potent mix of spiritual wisdom, political strategy, and hopeful commentary from national and local leaders who are rising up to meet this urgent moment in America. With the tagline: “Where Religion and Democracy Meet,” State of Belief is a celebration of our nation’s diversities and an invitation to join together to, in the words of the great James Baldwin, "achieve our country.”

Information

  • Creator
    Interfaith Alliance
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    117
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    The State Of Belief

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